Hiya! It is I, Bruce. Things have been a little strange and discombobulating around here recently. First a mountain of books and cardboard appeared, and suddenly Kate and Tom were completely preoccupied with foraging in this mountain. Then my friends Mel, Gordon, and Ivor came to visit, but unusually they were not interested in playing with me or with BALL but seemed to much prefer stuffing books in envelopes and generating curious noises from the mysterious beast known as Franking Machine. This has gone on for some time now, and while Kate messes around with all the books and envelopes she amuses herself by singing many songs. These songs generally concern the places to which the books are traveling. When an order comes in from Kalamazoo, Michigan, she loudly strikes up “I’ve got a gal in Kalamazoo” and I have also spent many hours listening to her howling “Take me back to Louisville, KY” and wailing along to “The Chattanooga Choo Choo”. Despite the (ahem) singular quality of Kate’s voice, these songs are actually rather jolly, and all I can say is that Louisville, Kalamazoo and Chattanooga really sound much more fun and much more interesting than Scotland, particularly when no-one will play with you because they are singing songs or doing unspeakable things to Franking Machine. So yesterday I decided I would get out of dodge and stow away to Kalamazoo. I popped on a couple of blue airmail stickers, crept into the van, and prepared for my transatlantic journey.
Sadly, Tom caught me in my hiding place among the the mail crates and my plan was foiled. Curses! No Kalamazoo for me! But then an interesting thing happened. When I came back into the house there was no more cardboard! The book mountain had considerably diminished! Franking Machine was quiet! And Kate had finally stopped singing! I think I can safely say that things are getting back to normal. Perhaps I shall visit Kalamazoo another day.
See you soon love Bruce xx
Kate adds: phew – we are all caught up! If you placed an order for a book between 7th November and today I’m very happy to say that your package has shipped and will be with you very soon! Also, my singing is really not that bad . . .
KDD & Co 
Your extremely beautiful book arrived in New Mexico today. I love, love it and it smells delicious too!!!
LikeLike
My books arrived yesterday — yes, mine and two Christmas gifts. I am absolute stunned. It is so beautiful and so informative. I’ve read the interviews and background materials. Such a wonderful, wonderful piece. I am so tempted to drop the pieces I am knitting (actually two yoked sweaters, including a 1960s pattern and an Elizabeth Zimmerman) to start one of the four in this book already in my mind! Thank you so much. This is going to be a very merry Christmas.
LikeLike
Just received my book here in Vancouver, Washington (USA)… I can smell the fresh ink! Congratulations!
LikeLike
Hiya Bruce I just received my book and I am sooo happy! you´re always wellcome in Villanueva de la Cañada (Spain)!
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Hi Bruce!
Did she sing “Moonlight in Vermont”? Willie Nelson does a great version, but it’s not very peppy. My Westie enjoys your posts and we are waiting for my copy here in New England. Happy holidays to you and all of your family. xo Karen & MacKenzie
PS it is very interesting to see the number and types of yokes around…much more aware now. There were three in the row ahead of me at a concert last night, one of which was clearly handmade.
LikeLike
I was watching an episode of “Shetland” and saw a young woman at an archaeology dig wearing a Peerie Flooers hat….a little fact that I enjoyed.
LikeLike
My book arrived today and I am so excited! Bruce, be sure to thank Kate for me.
LikeLike
The book has reached the Alps!
Congratulations to the fab team (the pictures are great, the layout is great, everything is just GREAT, I am very looking forward to your next project ;-)) — but take your time, I have at least eleven knitting projects to settle first … ;-))
Best,
Eva
LikeLike
Thank you Bruce and all wonderful team !
Kate’s book is here in Cholet, France. The book is just exciting and beautiful !!
BRAVO !
XX
Muriel
LikeLike
LOUISVILLE! That was MY book! Yayyyyyy!
LikeLike
AND. . .it’s here! I lovelovelove the historical articles in the front.
LikeLike
It just arrived in Iowa, and it’s gorgeous. And how exciting – mail from far-off Scotland!
LikeLike
I had my own personal Christmas day on Monday. I got home to not only my copy of yokes sitting on the doorstep, but the yarn to knit my very own Keith Moon was sat next to it!! One very happy chicken.
LikeLike
The book arrived today here not far from Paris ! now, I must wrap it and wait for Christmas !
LikeLike
Feet up, Kate and Tom (once Bruce is worn out, too) and thank you. The book is so stunningly beautiful and your research is so well written that Yokes is now both my favourite read and my must-do list at the same time. My Asta is now well beyond what laughingly could be called my waist and it a complete joy to knit. Just time for a couple more rounds…….
LikeLike
Hope Kate sang the one about The Atchison, Topeka and the SANTA FE .!!!!!
LikeLike
dear kate,
my book arrived today. again, a wonderful release.
can’t wait to take it home with me after work and then have a good read – i really love your designs (i have 2-3 which i want to knit within the next year), but i’m also very curious to read the introducing articles.
i’ve always loved your articles: they always feature interesting topics, based on careful research and they’re well written. i hope (i’m sure i’m not the only one here), that one day you gonna write a book on knitting, just the theory. :)
LikeLike
Dear Bruce: I’m sorry your humans were so busy that you wanted to move away! Kalamazoo is very close to where I live, so if you ever do succeed in getting there, come and visit me and I’ll show you all my favorite dog spots. You live in a beautiful place, according to my human. She just found Kate’s blog and was oohing and ahhing over the pictures, including yours! Remember, woof if you get to Kalamazoo, and we will come get you! Yours truly, Maggie from beautiful West Michigan
LikeLike
Poor Bruce! I hope he is getting caught up on playtime now ;)
LikeLike
Me loves Bruce!!
Looking forward to him coming to romp in Swiss snow…?! ;)
LikeLike
I got my book yesterday. I handed the unopened package to my husband and said “Thank you for buying this for me for Christmas. Please wrap it and put it under the tree.”
LikeLike
Loved hearing from Bruce, sorry that our order for the book caused him to feel all at sixes and seven’s. Please assure him it was worth it as the book is wonderful, and I’ve already ordered the wool to knit the foxglvoe cardigan over christmas:) Thank yuo Brue for being so patient, and to Kate and everyone for a wonderful pre-christmas gift.
LikeLike
Dear Bruce,
It has all been crazy busy but will be good again now, dear one.
LikeLike
Hahaha loved Bruce’s post. I am curious though if you sang a song for the parcels destined to Australia. By the way have you’ve visited Down Under yet? If not then you really must one day! We would all love to see you!
LikeLike
I do not live in Kalamazoo but I received my book yesterday and I LOVE it. Thank you Kate for offering me Christmas before time!!! And thank you Bruce for making me smile everytime you appear on the blog!
LikeLike
” We’ll fly down to Sydney for our holiday on sunny Christmas Day……”
LikeLike
Ah, Bruce. You’ve survived the book mountain…Happy trails! oxo
LikeLike
I hope this featured, Bruce: “And she sang as she popped that book into a posting bag, you’ll come a-waltzing Matlida with me”.
LikeLike
Gosh, Bruce, does Pennsylvania even have a song? Now I shall have to investigate! Looking forward to my book! I do believe that if Kate and Tom wish to send you on a nice “field trip” across the pond, there are plenty of wonderful knitters who would take you in, for a day or a week! What a fabulous trip you could have!
LikeLike
Did she sing New York, NY? Good ole Bruce
LikeLike
Poor Bruce, but lucky me. Just got my copy of your fabulous book. Thank you so much.
Lorraine from very cold Toronto, Canada
LikeLike
Poor lonesome Bruce! If you ever make it to Pennsylvania, there is another four-legged Bruce here who would love to play with you!
LikeLike
Dear Bruce, next time the humans are singing the correct procedure is to join in and do some crooning and howling, I’m sure you’d be very good at it. I’m glad the cardboard mountain has been safely conquered, your humans are very clever and hard working. Enjoy your next walk!
P.S. Travel by airmail is over-rated, look out for pieces of paper with “first class ticket” written on them and go with them!
LikeLike
route 66 is all albuquerque’s got except like, you know, narco salsa.
LikeLike
HOLY COW–how cooL is this?
listening to music while reading these posts!!
Thanks Bruce for your patience; i know its been ruff ruff.
=You’re a good boy=
::::::::and we’ll all get our gifts, soon!
>>>it’s Christmas in the heart –that puts Christmas in the air <<<
LikeLike
Dear Bruce: I hope Kate wasn’t singing “A Sudbury Saturday Night” by Stompin’ Tom Connors while she was packaging my book. The lyrics make me cringe! Looking forward to holding my book in a couple of weeks.
Cheers and white wine, Hazel.
‘
LikeLike
Hello Bruce. My name is Mason and I am a yellow lab. If you come to Kalamazoo, I am only a stones throw away and I might be able to beg my person to put up her two sticks and string to take us for a walk by the Thornapple River. There are lots of good smells there and sometimes you can chase a deer and take a swim in the water. Lots of fun!
LikeLike
Oh, Bruce! Sorry you did not make it, but I fear the trip would have been mighty uncomfortable for you! Please write again soon. I love to hear about your adventures with Kate & Tom.
A paws to you, from your friend, Henry.
LikeLike
Oh Bruce…..she is such a GOOD dog mommy I am sure the singing couldn’t have been all that painful. :0 Thanks for keeping us up to date and trying to ‘help’…….
Looking foreward to my book and you are welcome anytime in this neck of the woods…
LikeLike
Bruce, I live in Kalamazoo too! I need to order Kate’s new book soon so she can sing the song again – love it!
LikeLike
Dearest Bruce, I showed my little girl Shih Tzu, Mia, your latest photo. Mia remarked how handsome you are and that she would love for you to visit her in Bloomington, IL. Where there is no song for Bloomington, IL, there are plenty of flat fields for you to run and play and I’m certain Mia wouldn’t mind showing you the sights of Central Illinois. Thank you for being patient while Kate, Tom, et al, worked with the mountain of books and I look forward to reading your next post.
LikeLike
Bruce, thanks to you now “Kalamazoo” is looping in my head & probably will be until Kate’s book lands on my doorstep. I’m sure Kate & Tom were grateful for all your help & would have missed you terribly if you had run off to Kalamazoo.
LikeLike
My book arrived yesterday. It was rather unexpected, so it was a nice surprise. It’s lovely, and I have plans to make at least one, when I have finished my current project(s). Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Bruce: I am born and raised in Kalamazoo and I am very impressed Kate knows that old song! I know a fabulous place to take a long walk in the forest track if you ever travel this far.
LikeLike
Good try, Bruce. Maybe next time, you’ll succeed at hopping a flight to a destination further west (“I must take a trip to California”), meet up with Rudy and me, and take a chance on leaving your heart in San Francisco.
I must say that I would enjoy Kate’s sing-along sessions. Her play-list sounds a lot like mine!
LikeLike
My book arrived safely today in Lisbon – I wonder what the song was… Next time post yourself here, Bruce!
LikeLike
Love, love, love hearing from Bruce. He is still handsome, even with blue stickers on his head. I’m so glad that you and your helpers managed to process the mountain of books, too!
LikeLike
You have conquered the mountain!
Your singing is magnificent!
Copies of YOKES are all over the world!
YOU ARE TURBO!
Huzzah for Kalamazoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
LikeLike
Steve and Eydie do a great version of ” I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.”
LikeLike
Hi Bruce, I love your guest posts! What a pity your cunning plan was foiled, as I would have offered to pop over to fetch you back! I hope Santa brings you lots of goodies to make up for your having to listen to all the singing! Regards, Anne
LikeLike
Dear Bruce, my name is Jazz. I am a cat. My fur is black like yours & white. Do you like cats? I am a very friendly cat & I hope we can be friends. My owner has been eagerly awaiting whatever it is that your Kate & Tom have been working on. We live in Washington, DC. She doesn’t know any songs about Washington, DC. But, she was just in NYC & saw an art exhibit at The Frick, Masterpieces from the Scottish National Gallery! She keeps telling me about a painting of a Lady Agnew of Lochnaw. But she said there weren’t any paintings of cats…or dogs…I don’t think that’s fair! bye for now, Jazz
LikeLike
I’m sure your singing is heartfelt and joyous. Children and pets can be so judgemental.
Cast on my Asta today. Now there is something joyous indeed.
LikeLike
Bruce, did you hear “California Dreamin'”? I hope so!!!
LikeLike
Bruce, you are always welcome to visit me in Massachusetts. I have three Australian Terriers and they would LOVE to meet you and your human companions!
LikeLike
I wonder what you would sing for the book that has the furthest to travel. I am guessing New Zealand is the furthest ✈️
LikeLike
So good to hear from you Bruce. You take such good care of your humans–it can be a tough job. I can appreciate Kate’s singing…I was singing when I arrived at thecyarn shop to teach a class last night!
LikeLike
In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for a mine,
Lived a miner, forty-niner
And his daughter Clementine
Well not exactly, my beloved is not a miner but he is thrilled to hear that Yokes is on the way and normal meal service will resume shortly. And I am not called Clementine but I have been pining for the mailman to stop at our house. Bruce, Rita says you are welcome in California anytime for BALL and a great squirrel chase.
LikeLike
Hiya, Bruce,
What a great post. I’m only 3 hours from K’Zoo. My daughter graduated college there so I’m quite familiar with the area. And, guess what? Louisville, Kentucky, is my home town. Does Kate know the Wabash Cannonball? Great train song. Eagerly awaiting my book.
LikeLike
Bruce, how about a little of Frank Sinatra singing “New York New York”???? Although that doesn’t really apply to Syracuse where I live, but it’s close. Happy holidays everyone.
LikeLike
Dear Mr Bruce, My Yokes has arrived so all that discombobulation has resulted in at least one happy knitter. May your walkies routine be restored soon. You’re a good dog.
LikeLike
Cried with a mixture of laughter, relief and happiness for you. Bruce looks so sincere and glad all of your worlds are getting back to some sense of normality again xxx
LikeLike
Bruce, we would welcome you and your humans any day in Kalamazoo!
LikeLike
Bruce, did you by chance hear her singing “Carry Me Back to Ol’ Virginnie?” I’m eagerly awaiting my book and I love it when you get a chance to add your perspective to the human doings at your house.
LikeLike
ha – it was more like “In the blue ridge mountains of Virginia, on the trail of the lonesome pine . . ”
LikeLike
Bruce, when you visit Kalamazoo – come for a visit – I am just an hour away, and Zeby the corgi will BALL with you for hours and hours and hours, and there is good rabbit poo to roll in, too. Thanks for supervising the book shipment – I can’t wait to see a special cardboard envelope in my mailbox!
LikeLike
Mine arrived! I am VERY excited! Sue.
LikeLike
Bruce, you just crack me up! I looked up the weather in Kalamazoo — it is cold! Right now it is 34 F and 1 C. You should be glad Tom caught you — better by far to try it again in May or June when the weather is much balmier. Best to you and yours as well as huge amounts of gratitude!
LikeLike
I love it when Bruce writes blog stories :D
LikeLike
I am so excited to have received my book today. It is not Kalamazoo but Bruce, you are welcome to visit-you might like to chase a couple of swans along the riverside, although as they are under the Queen’s protection, not sure that would be a p.c. thing to get up to.
Thanks, Kate for my book which I am about to tuck into with a cup of tea!
LikeLike
Any yoddling for Switzerland ? :) I shall wait for my book….
LikeLike
Love your post Bruce! Can’t wait for my book to arrive!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Bruce …. now Kate can rest and enjoy the festive season. Cannot wait for a package to wend its way to California ….
LikeLike